In the article the finds of terracotta figurines from the excavations of the Hellenistic settlement of Maslyny in North-western Taurica (excavations by V. O. Latysheva) are analyzed. The terracotta collection contains striking specimens of ancient coroplastic. The figurines illustrate the religious life of the population, including the worship of cults of a family nature.
All terracottas were found on the territory of the living and utility homesteads of the settlement. Most of the figurines are located in a room at the south tower, which, according to the interior and related material, had several functions. Other statuettes were also found in the non-ordinary rooms and this text also indicates their cultic purpose.
Sanctuaries in rooms at the tower were known before at Chersonesos chora. Such practice of private sanctuaries corresponds to the choice of the most prominent and extraordinary places for arranging public sanctuaries of polis. Terracottas of Eros Thanatos, doves, and female figurines are connected with the cult of Aphrodite. One of three Erotes is decorated with red ribbons crossed on his chest. Such adornment is peculiar for Aphrodite images and not known on terracottas of this type. Protomes hanged on the wall and doves hanged to the ceiling, as well as female bust serving for a thymiaterion illustrate the variety of religious practices conducted by the habitants. A tympanon held by Nike reminds of mystery cults. The remains of ivy wreath on a Tanagra type figurine and a tympanum in the hands of Nika remind of Dionysus cult. The figurines are dated, according to the general chronology of the site, not earlier than the third quarter of 4th—3rd c. BC.
Some statuettes were made in Tauric Chersonesos, where similar cults are traced during the Hellenistic period. Terracottas from Maslyny settlement find the closest analogies at the sites of the North-western Black Sea region, including Olbia and Callatis. This fact allows tracing the relation between Tauric Chersonesos and that region